11 Questions with Paul Mcdonald

The pursuit of wisdom in any walk of life quickly reveals that what you think you know is not nearly enough to get you to where you want to go. As I'm starting out in my football scouting journey I challenged myself to reach out to those already working in various roles in football to answer a short list of questions. My goal wasn't to get answers but relevant perspectives on the game within the game.

Here is Paul Mcdonald, editor-in-chief of Football Critic

How did your first opportunity in football come about?

I got a start writing some Spanish football previews for Goal.com. After writing for a month I eventually moved onto a part-time contract, writing news and match content for them.  

What attracted you to scouting/analytics? What’s more intriguing now names or numbers?

I think it's a combination. I think when compared to other sports, particularly US sports, how we use numbers in football, as fans, is quite far behind. What FC tries to do is explain the new metrics that are being introduced in a way everyone can understand them.  

Who/what is the first player/concept you "found"? What caught your eye?

I'm not a scout - I came up with the concept and design for footballcritic as a useful source of information for fans. 

If you could start over what skill would you build on first?

It depends what you mean by this. In terms of writing about football, it's about making it accessible. Get to the point and engage the reader.  

Do you see player development as more of an art or a science? Is development on the club or the player? Why?

Both. A club can do everything possible with a player but if his attitude isn't correct and doesn't have the application to learn, he's not going to go far. 

What is your favorite sports moment? Why?

Tiger Woods winning the 2019 Masters. A million-to-one comeback from the physical position he had been in.  

What coach/player/team inspires you? Why?

Lionel Messi is the greatest ever footballer and has done impossible things. We'll never see anyone like him again.  

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into media/analytics?

Make sure that your writing is accessible, that you can explain your idea/thoughts in under 800 words and make sure you promote that fact. Publishers, or indeed clubs if a job as analyst is what you after, will not give you an hour to explain a transfer target or a tactical idea.  

What is your favorite app/tool to use (for fun!)?

My own website, footballcritic! 

What other sport/hobby/discipline do you feel improves your work as an analyst? Why?

I think it's important to watch how other sports adapt to new data and how it's applied. Football should always be learning lessons.